Changes to Internet costs!

[Tess99]

On my recent cruise to Bermuda I found that NCL has a changed policy for internet use. I'm not sure if it applies to all their ships, but on the Breakaway (which is pretty new,) they charge for the amount of data uploaded and downloaded instead of by the minute. So, for my week away, I had 1000 mb to use - and only used about 1/4 of it for $39. I used my laptop morning and night to check messages, look at facebook, upload some pictures, look up a few things and even made one phone call on Tango. This was a big change from earlier cruises, when you had to be really careful about how long you were connected - and write your messages before connecting and then pasting them in while online.

They also have an application for the cell phones. It is free to use to see what's going on on the ship, but if you want to do more, the charge is $7.95 for the week. If others in your group also pay the $7.95 they can then text back and forth and I think? call via wireless. I didn't use that feature. My phone did pick up my gmail but didn't do more without paying the extra fee. It was a very welcome change and I hope it is in effect on the rest of the ships and that other lines follow along.

[aubreyc1988]

sounds pretty cool and loads more affordable for those just wanting to check email and things like that!

[Meanee]

Hope that will be on Epic soon. Only time I used Internet was on board of RCCL's Oasis of the Seas. Due to abysmally low speed, I blew through $100 without getting much actual use.

[2Cruise4Ever]

We did the same thing and only used about 250 mbs. We also used the iConcierge app on our phones. It worked great! We were able to talk and text with our friends who were sailing with us with ease. It was a great way to keep in touch with our kids, too.

 

The internet on the BA is much faster than the other ships.... though still not lightening speed. Once I was connected, web pages loaded fairly quickly.

[mking8288]

Thanks, much appreciated - that's good to know and it reconfirmed what your fellow BA pax reported in another thread here - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2057863

 

It's a new pilot or experimental rollout, only available thus far on the BA so it's a trial basis. We're on her in late March & it was still by the minutes plan, which we seldom use except for "emergencies"

 

The speed, it seemed, matched my own tethering via smartphone data while connected to land towers near the shore - and, that with careful use - 100 MB or $39 could last an entire week. It's a win-win for many, how if only smartphone rings can be turned down or set to vibrate only, it will help preserve peace & quiet. The smartphone app, iConcierge, has been available and there was another recent update - we only used the free functions on it and was happy with it - it could be better with an integrated reminder or alarm function of confirmed booking ... ;)

[OCMS Fan]

if only smartphone rings can be turned down or set to vibrate only, it will help preserve peace & quiet.

 

Most can be. In fact I know of none that can't.

[MagicMike]

Same thing, last week on BA, I bought the 1000mb package for $39 and used about 300 of it. The $39 is just an introductory price, it will go up to $89 and the 300mb package will be $39.

 

Disney has had this same pricing on their ships for a few months now.